Seattle Seahawks: 10 Bold Predictions For 2014

Seattle Seahawks: Bold Predictions For 2014

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Coming off their Super Bowl win in February, the Seattle Seahawks begin their 2014 season on Thursday against the Green Bay Packers. They should again be a big championship contender, but now they have a target on their backs. There will be huge headlines surrounding this team all year, and here are my bold predictions for the Seahawks in 2014.

10. Rookie Cassius Marsh Will Have Double-Digit Sacks

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10. Rookie Cassius Marsh Will Have Double-Digit Sacks

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Serving as the primary backup to Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, Cassius Marsh should see plenty of playing time this season, especially on nickel downs and pass rush situations. With so many other Seahawks defenders to worry about, expect Marsh to have opportunities to get to the quarterback. Double-digit sacks is not out of the question.

9. Tharold Simon Will Pass Byron Maxwell On Depth Chart

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9. Tharold Simon Will Pass Byron Maxwell On Depth Chart

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

After sitting out all last season with an injury, Tharold Simon begins this year battling for playing time in Seattle's deep secondary. Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell are the starting outside cornerbacks at the moment, but Simon could enter the conversation in the middle of the season. He's one of the most talented young players on this roster.

8. Rookie Paul Richardson Will Catch 5 Touchdowns Over 40 Yards

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8. Rookie Paul Richardson Will Catch 5 Touchdowns Over 40 Yards

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Paul Richardson was the Seahawks' first pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. After displaying his blazing speed regularly throughout the offseason and training camp, Richardson didn't factor as a deep threat in Seattle's preseason. Something tells me that Pete Carroll was trying to not show too much of the rookie, though. Expect the young receiver to be the primary deep threat for the Seahawks.

7. Marshawn Lynch Will Have 20-Plus Touchdowns

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7. Marshawn Lynch Will Have 20-Plus Touchdowns

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Yes, this is still Marshawn Lynch's offense. The Seattle Seahawks' offense should be more improved this year and that means more touchdowns. More touchdowns for the Seahawks means more touchdowns for Beast Mode. Expect him to get more goal-line carries, even if his overall carries diminish this year.

6. Russell Wilson Will Pass For Over 4,000 Yards

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6. Russell Wilson Will Pass For Over 4,000 Yards

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After passing for less than 6,500 yards in his first two seasons, Russell Wilson seems primed to really take over this offense in 2014. The past two years he has been mostly a game manager, making the necessary plays to win games. But as he enters his third year, Wilson should get more chances to throw the ball as the Seahawks look to run a more balanced offense, though it will still be run-first.

From a fifth-round draft pick to the best cornerback in the league, Richard Sherman just continues to surprise and improve. He has eight interceptions in each of the past two seasons, and he definitely has the talent to pick off more passes. One of Sherman's greatest traits is baiting quarterbacks to throw his way. He will take full advantage when they do.

4. Seattle Seahawks' Offense Will Outperform Defense

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4. Seattle Seahawks' Offense Will Outperform Defense

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With one more season under Russell Wilson's belt, he should really start to show his true potential this season, and the Seahawks' offense will do the same. Not to mention, Wilson has an array of weapons in Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson and tight ends Zach Miller and Luke Willson. Oh yeah, Marshawn Lynch is still really good. Additionally, the defense probably won't put up the same numbers as last year.

3. Percy Harvin Will Win NFL MVP

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3. Percy Harvin Will Win NFL MVP

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In Percy Harvin's one full game last year, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the Super Bowl. Every time he touches the ball, he's gaining at least seven yards. Harvin expects to be a huge cog in Seattle's offense this year, and he will be the key to the Seahawks' success. This is the healthiest he's felt since high school, and it's well-known that when he's healthy, he is one of the best players in the NFL.

2. Seattle Seahawks Will Win 14+ Games

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2. Seattle Seahawks Will Win 14+ Games

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For all of the reasons in the previous slides, the Seattle Seahawks should be one of the best teams in the NFL. They basically win all of their home games -- 12th man effect -- and, because of a strong defense, have begun to travel well the past two seasons. All in all, it's just going to be extremely difficult to stop this team from winning games because they have no glaring weaknesses. I spot them a couple games just because it's a long season.

1. Seattle Seahawks Will Repeat As Super Bowl Champions

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1. Seattle Seahawks Will Repeat As Super Bowl Champions

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Same reasons as before. The Seattle Seahawks are probably a better team than they were last year. History of the difficulty of winning back-to-back Super Bowls doesn't matter. Last season was last season. This season is this season. And this is the best team in the NFL.